Hibernian Sacks Coach David Gray Amidst Turbulent Season
Hibernian have sacked head coach David Gray with the club sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership, the latest twist in a turbulent spell at Easter Road.
The decision came in the wake of Tuesday night’s damaging home defeat to bottom side Kilmarnock, Hibs’ fourth league loss in six games this season. The 1-0 reverse did more than bruise confidence. It underlined a trend the board was no longer willing to ride out.
Cup progress has not been enough to save him. Hibs are through to the League Cup semi-finals, but their European adventure ended early with a Conference League play-off defeat to Gent, and the domestic slide has proved decisive.
The numbers at Easter Road are stark. Stretching back into last season, Hibs have now lost six consecutive league games at home, equalling a club record that had stood untouched since 1920. For a club that leans so heavily on its home crowd, that statistic cut deep.
Gray’s story makes the call feel even more ruthless. Appointed permanently in June 2024 on a three-year deal after four separate spells as interim boss, the 38-year-old had long since secured legendary status in Leith. His towering header against Rangers in 2016 delivered the Scottish Cup and ended a 114-year wait. Few have worn the shirt, or the armband, with more resonance.
He stepped away from playing five years ago to move into coaching and initially looked to be writing a new chapter in the dugout. His first full campaign brought a third-place finish in 2024/25, followed by fifth last season. Hibs looked stable, competitive, moving in the right direction.
That sense of progress has evaporated. Two points now separate Hibs from the foot of the table, and the board has chosen disruption over drift. The club is again hunting for answers on the touchline.
This will be Hibs’ sixth permanent manager in under five years. Jack Ross left in December 2021, Shaun Maloney followed five months later, Lee Johnson lasted into the following year, Nick Montgomery departed in May 2024, and now Gray joins the list. Continuity has become a slogan rather than a reality.
For now, John Potter steps into the familiar role of caretaker. The coach will take interim charge for Saturday’s Premiership meeting with Aberdeen, while the club says it will confirm a new permanent head coach “in due course”.
Executive chairman Ian Gordon paid a warm tribute as he confirmed the decision, describing Gray as “an inspirational figure” and “a true friend and fantastic colleague” who set the standard with his professionalism and work ethic. Gordon highlighted the “incredible moments” Gray had delivered on the pitch and the stability he had brought from the dugout, before underlining the cold logic behind the move: the board felt forced to act “due to the recent downturn of results and performances”.
Gray’s final public words as Hibs boss came just after that Kilmarnock defeat. He cut a defiant figure, accepting criticism and insisting he would fight on.
“I’ve been here during difficult times and I’ve been here during good times,” he told Sky Sports, “and you can’t just say it’s brilliant when things are going well and then not expect a bit of criticism when things aren’t.”
He acknowledged the frustration in the stands, pointing to Hibs’ failure to win enough games “consistently, especially at home”, and accepted that anger as part of the job. His promise was simple: until he was told otherwise, he would do “everything in my power” to turn it around.
The call came swiftly.
Hibs now move into another new era with a fanbase weary of resets, a squad short on confidence, and a home record that has become a burden rather than a weapon. The next appointment will not just be about tactics or shape. It will be about whether this club can finally break its own cycle.
